When John Thompson took over as head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas in 1972, he took four scholarship players recruited in the Jack Magee era and moved them to the reserve team, created in the wake of the end of freshman-only basketball. One of these, Paul Robinson, battled back to make the varsity as a senior.

A 6-5 forward from New York, Robinson was a productive member of the ill-fated 1971-72 squad, averaging 4.2 points as a sophomore reserve in 25 games. In the fall of 1972, Thompson sent Robinson, Tom Dooley, Kip Crennan, and Mike Fitzgerald to the new squad, which finished 12-5 in a schedule of prep schools and junior colleges. Robinson averaged 18 points a game and earned Thompson's respect; in the 1973-74 media guide, he called Robinson "one of the most improved players on the team".

Robinson rejoined the varsity in 1973 but was hampered by a knee injury, playing in just 11 games overall before graduating in 1974.